MORAL DUTY TO BE KIND 235 



of ethics towards lower animals which would make 

 a suitable chapter in the creeds of the Christian 

 church. The following is a sample of Hindu 

 theology : " He who injures animals that are not 

 injurious, from a wish to give himself pleasure, 

 adds nothing to his own happiness, living or dead ; 

 while he who gives no creature willingly the pain 

 of confinement or death, but seeks the good of all 

 sentient beings, enjoys bliss without end." 



Man does not occupy the highest position in 

 God's creation, and can claim only a share of His 

 attention. The distance between man and lower 

 animals is but a span, compared with the difference 

 between man and the heavenly creation. 



Man forms a part only of the animal kingdom, 

 and the Saviour has enjoined upon him to be 

 merciful to all creation even as his Father in 

 heaven is merciful. The Bible plainly teaches 

 that if we expect mercy we must be merciful, not 

 only to our fellow-creatures, but to all inferior 

 animals. Every act of cruelty to animals as well 

 as from man to man, is certainly offensive to the 

 Creator of all beings. The lower animals look up 

 to man for happiness as man looks up to God. In 

 advocating the cause, then, of these creatures by 



